Both men tapped into a populist movement that eschewed establishment politicians this election.
And now, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders says he is prepared to work with President-elect Donald Trump.
Trump "tapped into the anger of a declining middle class that is sick and tired of establishment economics, establishment politics and the establishment media," Sanders, who gained a loyal and youthful liberal following in his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, said in a statement Wednesday. "People are tired of working longer hours for lower wages."
"To the degree that Mr. Trump is serious about pursuing policies that improve the lives of working families in this country, I and other progressives are prepared to work with him," Sanders, a supporter of Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee, said.
But, he added, "to the degree that he pursues racist, sexist, xenophobic and anti-environment policies, we will vigorously oppose him."
Throughout the presidential campaign Trump used charged rhetoric against, among others, Mexican immigrants, Muslims and women. Trump has insisted he will work to unite the country as president.
